Is Seeing REALLY Believing?

We have heard this phrase all our lives, "seeing is belileving." Is it REALLY? Hitler and his henchmen worked on the premise that if a lie is told often enough, people begin to assume it's validity. When it comes to our souls salvation, seeing is NOT believing! Let me explain.

In the 13th century, the Roman Catholic monk Thomas Aquinas injected a theory into theology that has, and continues to have, horrible consequences to the salvation of the souls of humankind. He alledged that people find truth PRIMARILY, not through the revealed Word of God, but through "reason." This "reason" (or "senses") leads us to "faith" and this "faith" then leads us to God's Word. Not only that, Thomas Aquinas asserted that "imagination" is a sense! In other words, if we "imagine" truth then our imagination BECOMES truth! Aquinas went on to assert that this "imagined truth" is best conveyed, not by the preaching of the audible Word of God but by things visual such as art, music, drama, theater, sculpture, etc. Yes, I know, this is very Post-Modern!

We KNOW that this is a falsehood for the inpired apostle Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 that "...faith comes by HEARING and hearing by the Word of God." Here's a synopsis to review:

Paul: Faith via Hearing via the Word of God
Aquinas: Faith via Seeing via Imagination

Pauls inpired assertion was proven correct in the life of Christ, especially in one defining moment...the raising of Lazarus of Bethany. (See John 11) "IF" "seeing is believing" then ALL the Jews present to see this undeniable miracle would have believed on Jesus! Whoever else ever raised a man from the dead after 4 days in the earth!? Not only did many not believe though they clearly SAW, but instead, sought to murder,not only Christ, but Lazarus as well! (John 12:10-11)

As much as our culture is enamoured with all things visual, God has chosen things audible to bring us to belief in Christ! "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" - Romans 10:14

Remember, faith comes by HEARING, not by sight!

For a FREE Bible study, e-mail: rmcculls@bellsouth.net!